Would you be interested in presenting to your group a fun way that you could multiply your fundraising efforts effortlessly?  If you could show them how to turn a $12.50 contribution into $96.25 -- would that generate some excitement?

Not in any particular order -- just a few of my clients' favorites: 1. The Yukon and White Pass Scenic Railroad, Skagway -- enjoy spectacular scenery as you follow the trail of the 1898 gold-rushers. 2. Butchart Gardens, Victoria -- breathtaking floral fairyland!  Have your cameras ready... 3. Saxman Village and Totem Pole Park, Ketchikan -- see artisans at work and learn more about the native culture.  Educational, yet lots of fun! 4. Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau -- gorgeous park with hiking trails, visitor center, and ranger station.  Can be combined with a...

What the Internet Sites Don’t Want You to Know… #1.  That they receive the same commissions regular travel agencies do.  Internet sites are nothing but “do it yourself” booking engines.  Imagine if you came to my office and I said “Here, sit down at this computer and do all the work yourself — I’ll just wait over here and collect the commission when you’re done!”  When I make a booking for you I do the research and make sure I have found the best option that’s right for your needs and desires,...

I just spoke with Sandra -- she got back from her cruise and said it was "a dream!"  She and her husband have been Princess passengers for a long time, but this was their first cruise aboard one of the "small ships." She said they missed having a cigar bar and a late buffet, but otherwise just loved the Ocean Princess and loved that with fewer people onboard there were never any lines, it never felt crowded, and the ship had a really relaxed atmosphere. The entertainment was excellent, although the stage productions weren't as "big" as the shows they're used to se...

Cruise Planners was named American Express Travel's Representative Travel Agency of the Year for 2010 during its annual American Express U.S. Representative Network Conference in Phoenix. Every year the honor is given to the travel agency that best represents the American Express Travel brand in customer advocacy, business development and innovation. Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners, accepted the award from Ellen Bettridge, vice president of the American Express U.S. Retail Travel Network, during a special presentation at the conference. "Cruise Planners continues to impr...

Americans Work Hard at Relaxing -- Vacationers More Likely to Get Up Early Than Sleep in...

New Survey Reveals Relaxation Habits

Slowly but surely I’m knocking off all the North American cruise ship home ports —  I’ve now either visited the piers or cruised out of Anchorage (Seward and Whittier), Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Galveston, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, New York City, Boston, and San Juan.  Next year, I plan to get Charleston and Baltimore. Tampa Bay is an ideal city for visiting and cruising from.  The cruise terminals are downtown with easy access to trolleys, ferries, attractions, and historic Ybor City which is full ...

11th Annual C.R.U.I.S.E Service Awards Recognize Top Local Tour Operators as Rated by Passengers

(Find out the best Alaska shore excursions in this article!)

Airfare: are we too focused on the price?

My friend Judy just got back from a beautiful Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Solstice and was she ever wowed!  She and her sister really enjoyed their balcony and were super-impressed with the size of the room and the cabin amenities. She said the service and food were top-notch, and the entertainment the best she had ever experienced on a cruise.  I wish I could post some of her Facebook pictures here -- the ship looks absolutely gorgeous and elegant!  One of her favorite areas was the spa with the enclosed pool and its own cafe.  Oh, and the casino!

As if there already weren't enough to love about Princess Cruise Line Alaska cruises and cruisetours -- they've come up with even more excitement in their 2011 itineraries! I was studying the catalogue the other day and just kept saying "Wow!" Let's start with a few highlights of what we already know about Princess in Alaska:      * They are the only cruise line that has their own lodges in Alaska --           The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge         &...

   As expected, the Oceania Nautica left nothing to be desired -- everything was perfect from beginning to end! They sailed the ever-popular "Yacht Havens" itinerary -- a 10-night, port-intensive (no sea days) route from Rome to Barcelona with stops in all the tres chic harbors of the Riviera -- plus the islands of Corsica (a real hidden gem!) and Sardinia. They were particularly delighted with the Oceania food, service, and "extra touches" like the free bottled water when disembarking in the ports, slippers in the stateroom, and a nicer-than-usual tote bag (super-handy for carr...

Don't let these situations happen to you...

Great article from the New York Times -- click to the link here.

Hello!  Quick update on the new Cruise Planners record-keeping system:

#1.  Glacier Bay, Alaska.  You cannot see this magnificent national park any other way than by ship.  Several beautiful blue-ice glaciers ribbon down from breath-taking mountains to the sea in this pristine bay. #2.  The lava flow of Kilauea on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Another fabulous view you can't get from land, especially at night.  Sailing past the red-hot-glowing flow is a wonder to behold. #3.  The Na Pali coast of Kauai, Hawaii.  Vistas of lush, towering cliffs, waterfalls, sea-caves, whales, and rainbows are yours to treasure only from th...

The Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10) First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; right to petition Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Second Amendment – Militia (United States), Sovereign state, Right to keep and bear arms. A well regulated Militia, being necessary t...

This will put you right at the beach with no sweat... Shake in a martini shaker: One ounce Bacardi Cherry Rum 2 ounces orange juice 3-4 ounces Canada Dry Sparkling Water Orange 5-6 ice cubes pinch of sugar Shake and pour into a glass, including ice cubes, garnish with slice of lime Enjoy!    

Hello all!  I probably beg for this every summer,  but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider booking your next vacation early so you can get what you want. It happened again, naturally:  a family has waited too long to decide on their dream Alaska cruise and now they can't get the ship, sailing date, nor type of cabin that they want.  And that's not even to mention the now-much-higher prices! By the time we see a date with the accomodation they need at a price within their budget, we are well into September and of course by then the kids are back in school. I admit ...

If you haven't sailed with Princess, you really should give it a try.  This company is amazing -- always the best itineraries and always first with availability for advance bookings. Princess is open for all bookings from now through Spring of 2012.  Past passengers can get price discounts, plus combinability with group/block-space rates and benefits, $100 deposit sales (there's one going on right now) and coupon books, onboard booking benefits, free upgrade offers -- you can get it all! Not a past passenger yet?  What are you waiting for?  Princess has the best past-g...

Well, it was a self-guided tour, but I have to say that the historical exhibit and engine-workings tour are just terrific.  . You never get to see the engine rooms, inner mechanics, or propellors of working cruise ships, so it was quite a treat to be able to see all the amazing "below decks" machinery.  The history of her WWII service is especially fascinating.  The photographs, memorabilia, and personal testimonies of World War II soldiers are well worth seeing.  If you ever are visiting Long Beach, or taking a cruise from there, give yourself s...

It's pretty ambitious, but since I can only take off 10 days (and that's pushing it!) here's what I mapped out: Day 1:  Drive from Dallas to Amarillo.  It's a long drive because we're going through Oklahoma City (we'll pick up the old road at 23rd Street), but since we've been all over the Mother Road in Oklahoma, we should be able to take it pretty fast. Day 2:  Amarillo to Albuquerque.  This is a much shorter drive, but we want to linger in both towns.  "Old Town" in Albuquerque is especially appealing and good for photographs. Day 3:  Albuquerque to ...

Route 66 beckons...

Try this instead of whipped cream the next time you make strawberry shortcake...

Hello -- thanks for checking in!  Ritz camera seemed to have some trouble converting my film photos to CD, so I still do not have pictures, but I wanted to go ahead and tell you all about the cruise. My husband Steve and I had a chance to sail the 7-night Hawaiian Islands cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America, as a result of my completion of Norwegian's travel agent training program. Having traveled in various ways to Hawaii before -- as part of group packages, island-hopping, and resort stays -- I've been telling people that the cruise is the best way to see the isl...

I'm so excited about the opportunity to take Norwegian's 7-night island cruise!  Steve and I have been to Hawaii 4 times, but we always said if we got a chance to go back we would like to take the Pride of America cruise. It just sounds SO much better and easier and cheaper than island-hopping.  I mean, to see 4 islands in 8 days would involve a lot of bag-schlepping and sitting around airports -- no thanks!  Only one or two islands is really practical to cover in a week -- so the cruise should be just perfect. Plus, with the meals included in the cruise price, we won'...

I use leftover grilled boneless chicken breasts for this (2 or 3 ought to do for 3 or 4 people): Other ingredients: 1 can white beans 1 can diced green chiles, mild 1 can white hominy 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped 1 teaspoon diced garlic 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground chili powder 1 chicken bouillon cube A few fresh cilantro leaves chopped up, optional In a soup pot, saute the onion and garlic in a couple of tablespoons of oil (I use olive oil).  When tender put in the canned items and add enough water to make the consistency that you want (2 or 3 cans).&n...

I know I write about it all the time, but it's my favorite topic, really -- where  do you want to go?  The world is so big and there are so many fascinating places to see and people to meet. I have friends who want to sail an Eastern Mediterranean cruise and spend some time in Istanbul.  I want to do this, too.  I'm not sure if my travel budget can support it next year, but it's worth exploring all the options.  The thing is, if we do it, I want to do it right and have a balcony stateroom on whatever ship we choose.  Our favorite right now is a Nautica sa...

My sister Becky painted this from a photograph I gave her.  The shot was taken from a balcony at the back of the Celebrit Century as we sailed away from Miami... http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?pid=30576709&id=1445804272

When Steve grills chicken outdoors, I have him cook a BIG package -- then I make these delicious subs with the leftovers: Sub buns of your choice (I get these wonderful "tomato hoagie rolls" at the Kroger bakery) Leftover chicken breasts or steaks from the grill Tomatoes, onion, green pepper, avocadoes, and stone-ground mustard Provolone cheese slices Heat oven to 350 degrees Slice up some green pepper and onion and saute in a tablespoon or two of olive oil.  Slice up the chicken or steak and add to the pan.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a teaspoon of dried oregano f...

I think I'm getting pretty good at this -- once the airlines starting charging to check bags, I went down to one checked bag and one carry-on.  It wasn't easy, because I am a shoe lover, but I will share how I do it now: First, a few basics to keep in mind:  * A 7-night cruise means you have 8 days of clothes to figure out. * You can pack for 5 days: do laundry on the ship on day 4 of the cruise.  I wash a pair or two of shorts or slacks, 3 tops, underwear, a couple of pairs of socks, my pajamas or sleep t-shirt, work-out wear, and maybe my swimsuit.  Keep it to...

Great news!  With these small-ship cruise lines, you can't wait too long to book -- they fill up fast and the prices just keep going up the closer you get to the sailing date. We don't have catalogues yet, so just give us a call for more details and let's start taking a look at the right Azamara Club cruise for you...  

Wow -- I started putting together the April "e-newsletter" and took up a whole page of notes just writing down the topics!  I think what I'll have to do, and I already do it to some extent, is publish articles on all of my formats (this blog, the travel forum blog, facebook, linked-in) and cross-link so you can peruse the information at leisure without one big long piece of material to wade through. So what's going on anyway? * We're getting an "early-bird" start on Europe 2011!       Avalon is already offering a savings of up to $2,000 per couple on s...

Hi!  Steve and I hosted "card night" tonight and we all enjoyed some great snacks and drinks -- so here are some recipes you can use for your next party: #1.  Beef & Bean dip for Nachos: In a crock pot put: 1 can diced tomatoes, an 8-ounce jar of picante sauce,  a can of refried beans, and a packet of burrito seasoning.  Brown 2 pounds of ground beef, drain and add to crock pot.  Dice 1/2 an onion and a small green pepper and saute with a tablespoon of minced garlic in 3-4 tablespoons of oil.  When tender, add to crock pot.  When hot, add enough wate...

Sorry for the delay in getting the Princess "Top 10" specials up today -- just got back from sunny Phoenix, Arizona.  Hope everyone is having a great week. Update on booking availability for 2011 Europe cruises: Holland America -- now Carnival -- now Princess and Cunard -- March 25th Oceania -- now Regent -- now Silversea -- now I'll be blocking space and locking in the low introductory rates, so just let me know what you're interested in and I'll hold space for you, too.  Let's talk and find the perfect European itinerary you've been dreaming of...    &nbs...

One thing I always do for my clients is proper research!  Read on to discover how I could have saved someone $500...

Oceania!!!!  This is the one we most look forward to every year because the sailings sell out so quickly!  Get in on the best rates and cabins for Europe 2011 on March 10! Celebrity:        Europe 2011 -- open for bookings week of March 15      Alaska 2011 -- open week of March 22      Caribbean 2011 -- open week of April 5  

1. Carnival "Early Saver" rates -- available on most sailings booked more than 4 months in advance.  In exchange for the guaranteed lowest rate, you place a non-refundable deposit.  Other rules:  changes made to an Early Saver booking result in a $50 per person change fee, and name changes are not allowed. If you are confident of your sailing date and who is going, then taking advantage of the Early Saver offer is the best way to get the best price on a Carnival cruise. 2.  Princess has extended their "Past-Guest" (Captain's Circle) discounts through March 31st! 3.&nb...

Don't let travel tragedy happen to you...

Yes, these are for real, so call us right away while you can still get aboard and snag a great price, too: Available to purchase on Tuesday only (2-16-10) -- Royal Caribbean's Tuesday Deals include these for Spring Break:      Freedom of the Seas sailing March 14th -- Ocean-view $699 per person, Inside $549 per person (plus tax, based on double occupancy).  Click here for full-color information page.     Liberty of the Seas, also sailing March 14th -- Ocean-view $599 per person, Inside $499!  Click here for full-color information page. Celebr...

Ick -- today I was looking up air to Alaska for someone and the schedules were just terrible!  2 stops on the return?  Air via Detroit (on the return to DFW)?  Arriving in Vancouver at 10:14 pm (duh, the ship sails at 5:00)?  Leaving Fairbanks at 1:00 in the morning???? To find any kind of decent flight times the prices were way more than what the cruise line was offering with their package -- so this year Alaska might be a destination where you're better off using the cruise line's air. At least you'll know you'll get there on time and have something reasona...

I just got word about availability of accommodation in Vancouver for the Olympics!  Call me right away if you've been dreaming of the Olympics -- you can still do it!  

It's so exciting to be starting a new year, and every time I open my e-mail I have information on new sales!  Right now we've got sale with Princess, Holland America Line, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Carnival, Oceania, Crystal, Regent, Silversea, and the river cruise lines! We're picking up right where we left off at the end of 2009 -- with hot opportunities to save money on 2010 vacations. Also -- we've got more blocked-space than ever before, holding the lowest rates of the year. Need some ideas to get started making your vacation plans?  Click here for the Top 10 Clas...